Golden Monkey primate endangered species sat alert among the its native bamboo in the Virunga National Park Rwanda East Africa
This mature Golden Monkey, from the genus Cercopithecus kandti, a primate of delightful beauty with its golden back and chest visible for all to relish. They cluster in troops of 30 or so among the bamboo groves in the lower reaches of the Virunga Volcanic Mountains in the National Park near Kinigi and Ruhengeri in Rwanda. Their habitat is under serious threat from encroaching farmers and returning refugees from the tragic Genocide of 1994 in search of land to resettle upon. Much of their bamboo jungle habitat was uprooted to make way for Eucalyptus forest by colonial masters in the earlier parts of the 19th and 20th centuries along side natural human agricultural habitation which has concentrated in the growing of mountain medicinal plants. This erosion of habitat is due to a severe shortage of land for the growing numbers of farmers as Rwanda is one of the most densely cultivated and populated parts of Africa. Rwanda, known as the land of a 1000 Hills is a most beautiful land with fertile and beautiful land studded with numerous lakes and rivers. It is essential that this Golden Monkey species be protected along side its neighbour in the upper reaches of the said same Virunga Mountains, the Gorilla, whose patroness in Dian Fossey and Gorillas in the Mist fame is famous. Golden Monkey is on the endangered species on the IUCN Red List. He sat alert among the its native bamboo in the Virunga National Park volcanic mountains in Rwanda bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. They are primarily bamboo feeders whose habitat is under threat from encroaching farmers and returning refugees resettling after the 1994 genocide. Old World Monkey Cercopithecus kandti. Enchanting extended family groups of up to 30 in one troop who weave themselves nests in the tops of the bamboo to sleep overnight. They feed mainly on bamboo suplimented with fruits, insects and pupae of lepidopterous larvae. Their golden back and chests give rise to their name.
Size: 2848px × 4287px
Location: Virunga (volcanic mountains) National Park Kinigi Ruhengeri Rwanda Central Africa
Photo credit: © Roland Pargeter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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